Your Home’s Exterior: Eight Renovation Projects to Save You Money

You want to make a few renovations to the house, but which ones? You don’t want to sink money into the place only to find out you made a bad investment years later. Most people know that renovating a kitchen or bathroom pays off, but what do you do after that?

Windows and Doors

If it’s been 10 years since you’ve replaced your windows, they might be due for an upgrade. If it’s been more than 20 years, you’re almost certainly due for new windows. Today’s products are substantially more energy efficient than products made even 5 years ago. Modern windows are manufactured to better insulate homes from the heat or cold.

Some of the top tier lines offer energy savings guarantees too. Look for windows with a high R value, good insulating materials in the frame, reinforcement in the frame, and a warm-edge spacer system between the glass panes. These will offer you the most bang for your buck.

Tinting

If you live in a home with large windows, one of the problems you might have is an overzealous morning or afternoon sun. If the light is too much, or if it’s fading your carpet, then installing tinting on the windows can become a great selling point. Tint can also reduce the heating and cooling costs of the home.

Roof

New roofs aren’t always attractive, but they’re always expensive – at least for a well-done job. These have almost immediate resale value and it’s easy to see why. It’s what keeps your home safe and dry. A new roof can also reduce the risk of mold and water damage.

Siding

Old siding looks horrible. Vinyl materials aren’t what they used to be 20 years ago. Today, virgin PVC is used on the high-tier product lines. It produces a straight clapboard that won’t sag or wave over time. Form-fitting insulation helps save on energy costs too.

Gutter Guards

Rain guards are a nice extra that most homeowners overlook – but it’s a feature that buyers will almost always pay for if you tell them about it. Guards keep out the pine needles, leaves, and other debris. That means that the new homeowner doesn’t have to pay for extensive “spring cleaning” – a plus.

Landscaping

While landscaping doesn’t always increase the value of a home, buyers will often pay extra if you’ve done a stellar job with your property. Have you ever driven by a home that looked gorgeous with a stone fence, a garden, and a water feature? Those things count, even if they don’t save you any money on your energy costs.

Solar Panels

Solar panels? Yes, solar panels. While they aren’t always the best options for saving money if the sun is not out, they can make life a lot easier if you maintain a heated swimming pool, an enclosed porch, or you want to supplement your home’s main energy source. Just make sure you select the right solar panels – ones that tie into the grid so that you don’t end up spending a lot of money on a battery backup.

Awning

Awnings provide shade where it’s needed. Usually, they’re put up on the front porch, and they can look amazing if they’re done right. This is mostly an aesthetic addition, but it does have the ability to save you money on your heating costs if whatever you’re shading happens to get a lot of sun.

Diane Coleman has bought and sold many homes in her lifetime. She likes to take what she has learned and help others who want to fix their homes by posting online.